Attachment mechanism for a power tool

ABSTRACT

An accessory for use with a rotary power tool having a rotatable spindle and a first mating member. The accessory includes a housing having a body and a plurality of arms extending therefrom, a ball detent selectively engagable with the spindle to lock the accessory to the power tool, a sleeve slidable along the arms between a first position in which the sleeve biases the ball detent into engagement with the spindle to axially secure the accessory to the tool, and a second position in which the ball detent is disengageable from the spindle to release the accessory from the tool, and a second mating member coupled to the arms of the housing.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/360,201 filed on Mar. 21, 2019, now. U.S. Pat. No. 11,034,002, whichclaims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/647,463 filedMar. 23, 2018, the entire content of which is incorporated by referenceherein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to power tools, and more particularly torotary power tools.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Power tools, particularly rotary power tools, are oftenuser-configurable to provide compatibility with different types andsizes of tool accessories. In some rotary power tools, a common driverunit can be used with multiple different accessories for performingdifferent work functions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides, in one aspect, an attachment mechanismfor connecting an accessory to a power tool including a tool-sideattachment having a spindle driven by a motor of the power tool, aninner sleeve biased towards a first direction to axially lock theaccessory to the power tool, an outer sleeve biased towards a seconddirection opposite the first direction to rotationally lock theaccessory to the power tool, and a first mating member. Anaccessory-side attachment includes an input shaft received by a bore inthe spindle, and a second mating member positioned on the accessory andconfigured to engage with the first mating member. In some embodiments,the attachment mechanism further includes a ball detent extendingthrough an aperture in the spindle and configured to selectively engagewith the input shaft. In some embodiments, the attachment mechanismfurther includes a slop-limiting mechanism configured to bias theaccessory away from the power tool.

The present invention provides, in another aspect, an attachmentmechanism for connecting an accessory to a power tool including atool-side attachment having a spindle driven by a motor of the powertool and a first mating member configured to engage with anaccessory-side attachment. The accessory-side attachment includes aninput shaft received by a bore in the spindle, a plurality of balldetents configured to engage with an annular recess extending around acircumference of the first mating member, a second mating member havinga plurality of engagement elements sized and shaped to engage with aplurality of engagement elements on the first mating member, and anouter sleeve fixed to the second mating member.

The present invention provides, in one aspect, an attachment mechanismfor connecting an accessory to a rotary power tool. The attachmentmechanism includes a tool-side attachment having a spindle driven by amotor of the power tool, and a first mating member positioned on thetool. The attachment mechanism includes an accessory-side attachmentincluding a housing having a body and a plurality of arms extendingtherefrom, a hub rotatably supported within the housing between the armsand configured to be coupled to the spindle to receive torque therefrom,a ball detent disposed within the hub and selectively engagable with thespindle to axially lock the accessory to the power tool. A sleeve isaxially slidable along the arms and relative to the hub between a firstposition in which the sleeve biases the ball detent radially inward andinto engagement with the spindle when coupled to the hub to axiallysecure the accessory to the tool, and a second position in which theball detent is disengageable from the spindle to release the accessoryfrom the tool. A second mating member is axially fixed to the arms ofthe housing, wherein the sleeve is slidable between the second matingmember and the body of the housing, and wherein the first and secondmating members are engaged when the accessory is axially secured to thetool to rotationally fix the accessory to the tool.

The present invention provides, in one aspect, an accessory for use witha rotary power tool having a rotatable spindle and a first matingmember. The accessory includes a housing having a body and a pluralityof arms extending therefrom, a hub rotatably supported within thehousing between the arms and configured to be coupled to the spindle toreceive torque therefrom, a ball detent disposed within the hub andselectively engagable with the spindle to axially lock the accessory tothe power tool, a sleeve axially slidable along the arms and relative tothe hub between a first position in which the sleeve biases the balldetent radially inward and into engagement with the spindle when coupledto the hub to axially secure the accessory to the tool, and a secondposition in which the ball detent is disengageable from the spindle torelease the accessory from the tool, and a second mating member axiallyfixed to the arms of the housing, wherein the sleeve is slidable betweenthe second mating member and the body of the housing, and wherein thefirst and second mating members are engaged when the accessory isaxially secured to the tool to rotationally fix the accessory to thetool.

Other features and aspects of the invention will become apparent byconsideration of the following detailed description and accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is perspective view of a power tool in accordance with oneembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is perspective view of an attachment mechanism for coupling anaccessory to a power tool in according to one embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the attachment mechanism of FIG. 2 withthe accessory disconnected from the power tool.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the attachment mechanism of FIG. 2taken along line 4-4 shown in FIG. 2 with the accessory disconnectedfrom the power tool.

FIG. 5 a cross-sectional view of the attachment mechanism of FIG. 2taken along line 4-4 shown in FIG. 2 with the accessory in an axiallyand rotationally locked position relative to the power tool.

FIG. 6 a cross-sectional view of the attachment mechanism of FIG. 2taken along line 4-4 shown in FIG. 2 with the accessory in an axiallylocked position and rotationally unlocked position relative to the powertool.

FIG. 7 a cross-sectional view of the attachment mechanism of FIG. 2taken along line 4-4 shown in FIG. 2 with the accessory in an axiallyand rotationally unlocked position relative to the power tool.

FIG. 8 is perspective view of an attachment mechanism for coupling anaccessory to a power tool in according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the attachment mechanism of FIG. 8 withthe accessory disconnected from the power tool.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the attachment mechanism of FIG. 8taken along line 10-10 shown in FIG. 8 with the accessory disconnectedfrom the power tool.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the attachment mechanism of FIG. 8taken along line 10-10 shown in FIG. 8 with the accessory in an axiallyand rotationally locked position relative to the power tool.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the attachment mechanism of FIG. 8taken along line 10-10 shown in FIG. 8 with the accessory in an axiallyand rotationally unlocked position relative to the power tool.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an attachment mechanism for coupling anaccessory to a power tool in according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the attachment mechanism of FIG. 13with the accessory disconnected from the power tool.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the attachment mechanism of FIG. 13taken along line 15-15 shown in FIG. 13 with the accessory in an axiallyand rotationally locked position relative to the power tool.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the power tool of FIG. 13 receiving atool bit instead of an accessory.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of an attachment mechanism for coupling anaccessory to a power tool in according to a forth embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the attachment mechanism of FIG. 17with the accessory disconnected from the power tool.

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of the attachment mechanism of FIG. 17taken along line 19-19 shown in FIG. 17 with the accessory in an axiallylocked and rotationally unlocked position relative to the power tool.

FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view of the attachment mechanism of FIG. 17taken along line 20-20 shown in FIG. 17.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a tool-side attachment of a fifthembodiment of an attachment mechanism for coupling an accessory to apower tool.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of an accessory-side attachment of thefifth embodiment of an attachment mechanism for coupling an accessory toa power tool.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the attachment mechanism of FIG. 22with a sleeve removed.

FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view of the attachment mechanism of FIG. 2taken along section line 24-24 in FIG. 22.

FIG. 25 is an end view of the attachment mechanism of FIG. 22.

FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view of the attachment mechanism of FIG. 22taken along line 24-24 in FIG. 22.

FIG. 27A is a front view of a sleeve of the attachment mechanism of FIG.22.

FIG. 27B is a cross-sectional view of the sleeve of FIG. 27A taken alongline 27-27 in FIG. 27A.

FIGS. 28A and 28B are front and rear perspective view of a cap of theattachment mechanism of FIG. 22.

FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional view of the power tool of FIG. 21 connectedto the attachment mechanism of FIG. 22 while in an axially androtationally locked position.

FIG. 30 is cross-sectional view of the power tool of FIG. 21 connectedto the attachment mechanism of FIG. 22 with the sleeve moved to anunlocked position.

FIG. 31 is a perspective view of an off-set accessory including the sameattachment mechanism as the hex attachment shown in FIGS. 22-31.

FIG. 32 is a perspective view of a right angle accessory including thesame attachment mechanism as the hex attachment shown in FIGS. 22-31.

FIG. 33 is a perspective view of a sixth embodiment of an attachmentmechanism for coupling an accessory to a power tool with a portion of acollar removed.

FIG. 34 is a perspective view of the attachment mechanism of FIG. 33with the full collar removed.

FIG. 35 is cross-sectional view of the attachment mechanism of FIG. 33taken along line 35-35 in FIG. 33.

FIG. 36 is a side view of a seventh embodiment of an attachmentmechanism for coupling an accessory to a power tool.

FIG. 37 is a cross-sectional view of the attachment mechanism of FIG. 35taken along line 37-37 in FIG. 36.

FIG. 38A is a cross-sectional view of the attachment mechanism of FIG.36 taken along line 38-38 of FIG. 36 when in the locked position.

FIG. 38B is a cross-sectional view of the attachment mechanism of FIG.36 taken along line 38-38 of FIG. 36 when in the unlocked position.

FIG. 39 is a cross-sectional view of an eight embodiment of anattachment mechanism for coupling an accessory to a power tool.

FIG. 40 is an end view of the accessory side of the attachment mechanismand the tool side of the attachment mechanism of FIG. 39 whendisconnected from one another.

Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it isto be understood that the invention is not limited in its application tothe details of construction and the arrangement of components set forthin the following description or illustrated in the following drawings.The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced orof being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood thatthe phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose ofdescription and should not be regarded as limiting.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a rotary power tool 10, such as a drill or impactdriver, including a housing 14, a handle 18 extending from the housing14, and a battery 22 removably coupled to the handle 18. The housing 14includes a nose 26 configured to receive a plurality of differenceaccessories 38 to be used with the power tool 10. For example, the nose26 of the power tool 10 may be configured to receive accessories 38 suchas an elbow attachment accessory 38 (e.g., a right angle accessory) asshown in FIGS. 3, 9, and 33; a drill chuck accessory 38 as shown inFIGS. 13, 35, and 37; a hex accessory 38 as shown in FIGS. 17 and 22,and off-set angle accessory as shown in FIG. 31. The nose 26 of thepower tool 10 may also be configured to receive other types ofaccessories 38 not shown herein. As will be described in greater detail,the accessories 38 are attached to the nose 26 of the power tool 10 viaan attachment mechanism. Portions of the attachment mechanism areintegrated into the power tool housing 14 while other portions of theattachment mechanism are integrated into the accessories 38. As will beunderstood by a person skilled in the art, in some embodiments, theportions of the attachment mechanism described herein as beingintegrated into the power tool 10 may be alternatively integrated intothe accessory 38, and vice versa. The power tool 10 further includes adrive system 30 (shown schematically in FIG. 1) having a motorpositioned within a rear 34 of the housing 14. The drive system 30provides power to a spindle extending from the nose 26 of the power tool10, which in turn, transfers power to the accessory 38.

FIGS. 2-7 illustrate one embodiment of an attachment mechanism 100 forcoupling an accessory 38 a to a power tool 10. The attachment mechanism100 includes a tool-side attachment 104 and an accessory-side attachment108. In the illustrated embodiment, the tool-side attachment 104includes a spindle 112, an inner sleeve 116, an outer sleeve 120, and afirst mating member 124. The accessory-side attachment 108 includes aninput shaft 128, a second mating member 132, and a slop-limitingmechanism 136.

With reference to FIGS. 4-7, the spindle 112 includes a solid first end140 and a hollow second end 144. The first end 140 of the spindle 112 isdriven by the drive system 30 of the power tool 10, which transfersrotational power to the spindle 112. The spindle 112 defines an axis ofrotation about which the spindle 112 rotates. The second end 144 of thespindle 112 includes a bore 148 formed by a spindle wall 152, where thebore 148 is sized and shaped to receive an input shaft 128 of a tool(e.g., a tool bit) or an input shaft 128 of accessory 38 a (e.g., anelbow attachment) to be used with the power tool 10. In the illustratedembodiment, the bore 148 has a hexagonal cross-sectional shape thatcorresponds to the shape of the input shaft 128. The input shaft 128 isshown in FIG. 3. The input shaft 128 is removed from the other figuresin order to reveal other components of the attachment mechanism 100.

The spindle 112 includes one or more aperture 156 extending through thespindle wall 152 into the bore 148. A ball detent 160 is disposed withineach aperture 156 to engage the input shaft 128 and lock the tool oraccessory 38 a to the nose 26 of the power tool 10. Specifically, theball detent 160 can selectively engage with a recess 130 (FIG. 3) formedin the input shaft 128 of the tool or the accessory 38 a in order tomaintain the input shaft 128 within the bore 148 of the spindle 112. Theball detent 160 is movable between a first position (i.e., an lockedposition), in which the ball detent 160 is biased radially inward toengage the input shaft 128, and a second position (i.e., an unlockedposition), in which the ball detent 160 is moved radially outward torelease the input shaft 128.

With continued reference to FIGS. 4-7, the ball detent 160 is biasedradially inward by the inner sleeve 116. The inner sleeve 116 includes acam surface 164 that selectively forces the ball detent 160 radiallyinward. The inner sleeve 116 is movable in a first direction 168,towards the rear 34 of the power tool 10, in which the cam surface 164biases the ball detent 160 radially inward (i.e., into a lockedposition). The inner sleeve 116 is movable in a second direction 172,away from the rear 34 of the power tool 10, in which the cam surface 164releases the ball detent 160 (i.e., into an unlocked position). When theinner sleeve 116 and the ball detent 160 are in the locked position, theinput shaft 128 (and thus the accessory 38 a) is axially locked relativeto the power tool 10. In the illustrated embodiment, the inner sleeve116 and the ball detent 160 are biased towards the locked position.

Specifically, the inner sleeve 116 includes an inner surface 176extending circumferentially around the spindle 112. The inner surface176 of the inner sleeve 116 is spaced away from the spindle wall 152 tocreate a gap 184 between the spindle 112 and the inner sleeve 116. Thecam surface 164 is formed by an annular protrusion 180 extendingradially inward from the inner surface 176 of the inner sleeve 116. Inthe illustrated embodiment, the cam surface 164 contacts an outersurface of the spindle wall 152 and divides the gap 184 into twosections. A first section of the gap 184 forms an annular recess 192,which receives at least a portion of the ball detent 160 when the innersleeve 116 and the ball detent 160 are in the unlocked position. Asecond section of the gap 184 houses a first spring 200 and a firstretaining ring 204, which work together to bias the inner sleeve 116towards the locked position. The first spring 200 is positioned betweenthe first retaining ring 204 and the annular protrusion 180 of the innersleeve 116 that forms the cam surface 164. The first retaining ring 204is fixed with respect to the spindle 112, such that the first spring 200pushes against the first retraining ring 204 and biases the inner sleeve116 towards the rear 34 of the power tool 10 into the locked position.The inner sleeve 116 is released from the locked position by the outersleeve 120.

With continued reference to FIGS. 4-7, the outer sleeve 120 is generallycylindrical and extends circumferentially around the inner sleeve 116.The outer sleeve 120 includes an inner surface 178 that is spaced awayfrom the inner sleeve 116 to form a gap 186 between the inner sleeve 116and the outer sleeve 120. The outer sleeve 120 includes an annularprotrusion 182 that divides the gap 186 into two sections—a firstsection and a second section, which is located closer to the rear 34 ofthe power tool 10 than the first section. The annular protrusion 182engages with a shoulder 208 on the inner sleeve 116. Specifically, theannular protrusion 182 extends radially inward from the outer sleeve 120to mate with the shoulder 208 extending radially outward from the innersleeve 116. The shoulder 208 extends at least partially into the firstsection of the gap 186, such that the shoulder 208 of the inner sleeve116 is positioned farther from the rear 34 of the power tool 10 than theannular protrusion 182 of the outer sleeve 120.

This arrangement enables the outer sleeve 120 to move relative to theinner sleeve 116 when the outer sleeve 120 is moved in the firstdirection 168 towards the rear 34 of the power tool 10. However,movement of the outer sleeve 120 in the second direction 172, away fromthe rear 34 of the power tool 10, moves the inner sleeve 116 in thesecond direction 172. Accordingly, movement of the outer sleeve 120 inthe second direction 172 releases the inner sleeve 116 from the lockedposition (i.e., releases the ball detent 160 from engagement with theinput shaft 128).

In addition to releasing the inner sleeve 116 from the locked position,the outer sleeve 120 is configured to engage with the accessory 38 a toselectively enable or prohibit rotation of the accessory 38 a relativeto the power tool 10.

With reference to FIG. 3, the outer sleeve 120 includes the first matingmember 124, which is configured to engage with the second mating member132 disposed on the accessory 38 a. In the illustrated embodiment, thefirst mating member 124 is a ring having a plurality of engagementelements 121 a (FIG. 3) in the form of castellations extending radiallyinward. The second mating member 132 is a ring having a plurality ofengagement elements 121 b (FIG. 3) in the form of castellations that aresized and shaped to engage with the castellations on the first matingmember 124. When the first mating member 124 and the second matingmember 132 are engaged, the first mating member 124 the second matingmember 132 are rotationally fixed relative to one another, therebyrotationally fixing the accessory 38 a to the power tool 10. In otherembodiments, the first mating member 124 and the second mating member132 include different types of engagement elements 212 capable ofrotationally fixing the first mating member 124 relative to the secondmating member 132.

With reference to FIGS. 4-7, the first mating member 124 is disposedwithin the first section of the gap 186. The first mating member 124 isfixed to the outer sleeve 120 such that movement of the outer sleeve 120causes movement of the first mating member 124. In other embodiments,the first mating member 124 is integral with the outer sleeve 120. Theouter sleeve 120 and the first mating member 124 are movable between arotationally locked position, in which the accessory 38 a isrotationally fixed relative to the power tool 10, and a rotationallyunlocked position, in which the accessory 38 a is freely rotatablerelative to the power tool 10. FIG. 5 illustrates the outer sleeve 120and the first mating member 124 in the rotationally locked position.When in this position, the first mating member 124 extends beyond afront wall 216 (see also, FIG. 3) of the inner sleeve 116 such that theengagement elements 212 a of the first mating member 124 can engage withthe engagement elements 212 b on the second mating member 132. FIG. 6illustrates the outer sleeve 120 and the first mating member 124 in therotationally unlocked position. When in this position, the first matingmember 124 does not extend beyond the front wall 216 of the inner sleeve116 and the engagement elements 212 a are disengaged from the engagementelements 212 b in the second mating member 132 of the accessory 38 a.

The outer sleeve 120 is biased towards the rotationally locked position.Specifically, in the illustrated embodiment, a second spring 220 isdisposed within the second section of the gap 186 between the annularprotrusion 182 of the outer sleeve 120 and a second retaining ring 224.The second retaining ring 224 is fixed relative to the spindle 112 suchthat the second spring 220 pushes against the second retaining ring 224to bias the outer sleeve 120 and the first mating member 124 in thesecond direction 172 away from the rear 34 of the power tool 10.

As will be described in greater detail, the spring force of the firstspring 200 is greater than the spring force of the second spring 220.Therefore, while the force of the second spring 220 maintains the outersleeve 120 in the rotationally locked position, the force of the secondspring 220 is insufficient to overcome the spring force of the firstspring 200 in order to release the inner sleeve 116 from the lockedposition.

With continued reference to FIGS. 4-7, the attachment mechanism 100further includes a slop-limiting mechanism 136 disposed within theaccessory 38 a. The slop-limiting mechanism 136 includes a hub 228, aplunger 232, a stopper 236, and a third spring 240. The hub 228 isgenerally hollow and forms a bore 244 through which the input shaft 128extends. Specifically, the input shaft 128 extends through the hub 228on the accessory 38 a, beyond the end of the hub 228, and into thespindle 112 of the power tool 10 (when the accessory 38 a is attached tothe power tool 10). The third spring 240, the plunger 232, and thestopper 236 are disposed within the hub 228. The plunger 232 ispositioned between the third spring 240 and the stopper 236. The plunger232 is biased towards the stopper 236 by the third spring 240.

The third spring 240 is a helical spring that wraps around the inputshaft 128. The plunger 232 and the stopper 236 each have an annularshape with an inner perimeter 252, 256 and an outer perimeter 260, 264,respectively. The input shaft 128 extends through both the plunger 232and the stopper 236. The inner perimeter 256 of the stopper 236 islarger than the outer perimeter 260 of the plunger 232 such that theplunger 232 extends at least partially through the stopper 236. Thestopper 236 engages with a shoulder 248 extending radially outward fromthe outer perimeter 260 of the plunger 232 in order to prevent theplunger 232 from being pushed out of the hub 228 by the third spring240.

The third spring 240 biases the accessory 38 a away from the power tool10 in order to reduce the slop (i.e., unnecessary movement or slipping)between the accessory 38 a and the power tool 10. More specifically,when the accessory 38 a is attached to the power tool 10, the spindle112 extends through the inner perimeter 256 of the stopper 236 andengages with the plunger 232. The spring force of the third spring 240pushes the accessory 38 a away from the power tool 10 via the engagementbetween the plunger 232 of the accessory 38 a and the spindle 112 on thepower tool 10.

In operation, when no external forces are present, the accessory 38 a isbiased to a fully locked position where the accessory 38 a is bothaxially and rotationally fixed relative to the power tool 10. As shownin FIG. 5, the inner sleeve 116 and the ball detent 160 are biasedtowards the locked position to prevent axial movement of the input shaft128 (not illustrated in FIG. 5) of the accessory 38 a relative to thespindle 112 of the power tool 10. Thus, the accessory 38 a is axiallylocked to the power tool 10. Additionally, the outer sleeve 120 and thefirst mating member 124 are biased towards the rotationally lockedposition to prevent rotation between the first mating member 124 of thepower tool 10 and the second mating member 132 of the accessory 38 a.Thus, the accessory 38 a is rotationally locked to the power tool 10.

As previously mentioned, the accessory 38 a is biased toward an axiallylocked position by the force of the first spring 200 towards the firstdirection 168. The accessory 38 a is biased towards the rotationallylocked position by the force of the second spring 220 towards the seconddirection 172. However, the force of the first spring 200 is greaterthan the force of the second spring 220. Therefore, the force of thesecond spring 220 is sufficient to maintain the outer sleeve 120 in therotationally locked position, but insufficient to release the innersleeve 116 from the axially locked position.

When an operator desires to remove the accessory 38 a from the powertool 10 (i.e., axially release the accessory 38 a), the operator slidesthe outer sleeve 120 in the second direction 172. In other words, theoperator provides an additional force in the second direction 172 tosupplement that provided by the second spring 220. Together, the forceof the second spring 220 and the additional force provided by theoperator will overcome the spring force of the first spring 200 in orderto move the inner sleeve 116 in the second direction 172 to release theaccessory 38 a.

When an operator desires to rotate the accessory 38 a relative to thepower tool 10, the operator slides the outer sleeve 120 in the firstdirection 168 to disengage the first mating member 124 from the secondmating member 132, thereby allowing the accessory 38 a to be rotated.Once the accessory 38 a is in the desired rotational position, theoperator releases the outer sleeve 120, which is automatically biasedback towards the rotationally locked position by the spring 220. Slidingthe outer sleeve 120 in the first direction 168 does not release theinner sleeve 116 from the axially locked position.

FIGS. 8-12 illustrate a second embodiment of an attachment mechanism 300configured to connect an accessory 38 b to a power tool 10. Theattachment mechanism 300 includes a tool-side attachment 304 and anaccessory-side attachment 308. In the illustrated embodiment, thetool-side attachment 304 includes a spindle 312 and a first matingmember 324. The accessory-side attachment 308 includes an inner sleeve316, an outer sleeve 320, a plurality of ball detents 360, and a secondmating member 332.

The spindle 312 includes a hexagonal bore 348 formed by a spindle wall352, where the bore 348 is sized and shaped to receive an input shaft328 (FIG. 9) of a tool (e.g., a tool bit) or an input shaft 328 ofaccessory 38 b (e.g., an elbow accessory attachment) to be used with thepower tool 10. The spindle 312 includes a plurality of apertures 356extending at least partially into the spindle wall 352. In theillustrated embodiment, the apertures 356 do not extend all the waythrough the spindle wall 352 and into the bore 348. However, in someembodiments the apertures 356 are through holes extending into the bore348.

A plurality of ball detents 360 are carried by a hub 336 positionedwithin the accessory 38 b. The ball detents 360 and are configured toengage with the plurality of apertures 356 in the spindle 312. Theengagement between the ball detents 360 and the spindle 312 locks theaccessory 38 b to the power tool 10. The ball detents 360 are movablebetween a first position (i.e., a locked position), in which the balldetents 360 are biased radially inward to engage the spindle 312, and asecond position (i.e., an unlocked position), in which the ball detents360 are moved radially outward to release the spindle 312. The balldetents 360 are biased radially inward by the inner sleeve 316.

With reference to FIGS. 11-12, the inner sleeve 316 includes a camsurface 364 that selectively forces the ball detents 360 radiallyinward. The inner sleeve 316 is movable between a first direction 368(FIG. 11), in which the cam surface 364 biases the ball detents 360radially inward (i.e., a locked position), and a second direction 372(FIG. 12), in which the cam surface 364 releases the ball detents 360(i.e., an unlocked position). When the inner sleeve 316 and the balldetents 360 are in the locked position, the accessory 38 b is axiallylocked relative to the power tool 10. In the illustrated embodiment, theinner sleeve 316 and the ball detents 360 are biased towards the lockedposition.

More specifically, the inner sleeve 316 extends circumferentially aroundthe hub 336 carrying the ball detents 360. An inner surface 376 of theinner sleeve 316 forms an annular protrusion 380 extending radiallyinward to define the cam surface 364. The inner surface 376 also formsan annular recess 340, which allows the ball detents 360 to moveradially outward when the ball detents 360 are aligned with the annularrecess 340.

With continued reference to FIGS. 11-12, the outer sleeve 320 isgenerally cylindrical and extends circumferentially around the innersleeve 316. The outer sleeve 320 is spaced away from the inner sleeve316 to form a gap 392 between the inner sleeve 316 and the outer sleeve320. The outer sleeve 320 includes an annular protrusion 384 extendingtowards the inner sleeve 316. A spring 388 is disposed within the gap392. The spring 388 engages with the annular protrusion 384 to bias theouter sleeve 320 towards the first direction 368. The outer sleeve 320is axially fixed to the inner sleeve 316 such that movement of the outersleeve 320 causes movement of the inner sleeve 316. Accordingly, thebias of the outer sleeve 320 towards the first direction 368 biases theinner sleeve 316 towards the locked position. Similarly, movement of theouter sleeve 320 towards the second direction 372 releases the innersleeve 316 from the locked position (i.e., release the ball detents 360from engagement with the spindle 312).

In addition to releasing the inner sleeve 316 from the locked position,the outer sleeve 320 is configured to selectively enable or prohibitrotation of the accessory 38 b relative to the power tool 10.Specifically, the second mating member 332 is integrally formed with theouter sleeve 320 and is configured to engage with the first matingmember 324 on the power tool 10. The second mating member 332 includes aplurality of engagement elements 396 b (FIG. 9) in the form ofcastellations. In the illustrated embodiment, the castellations arespaced around an inside surface of the outer sleeve 320 and extendradially inward. The first mating member 324 is a ring having aplurality of engagement elements 396 a (FIG. 9) in the form ofcastellations extending radially outward. The castellations of the firstmating member 324 are sized and shaped to correspond to thecastellations on the second mating member 332. When the first matingmember 324 and the second mating member 332 are engaged, the firstmating member 324 and the second mating member 332 are rotationallyfixed relative to one another, thereby rotationally fixing the accessory38 b to the power tool 10. In the illustrated embodiment, the spring 388biases the outer sleeve 320 towards the rotationally locked position. Inother embodiments, the first mating member 324 and the second matingmember 332 include different types of engagement elements 396 capable ofrotationally fixing the first mating member 324 relative to the secondmating member 332.

With continued reference to FIGS. 11-12, the outer sleeve 320 is movablebetween a rotationally locked position, in which the accessory 38 b isrotationally fixed relative to the power tool 10, and a rotationallyunlocked position, in which the accessory 38 b is freely rotatablerelative to the power tool 10. FIG. 11 illustrates the outer sleeve 320in the rotationally locked position. When in this position, the firstmating member 324 and the second mating member 332 are engaged, therebyprohibiting rotation of the accessory 38 b. FIG. 12 illustrates theouter sleeve 320 in the rotationally unlocked position. When in thisposition, the first mating member 324 is disengaged from the secondmating member 332 of the accessory 38 b, thereby allowing rotation ofthe accessory 38 b. The outer sleeve 320 is biased towards therotationally locked position. As previously mentioned, the spring 388biases the outer sleeve 320 towards the first direction 368. This spring388 bias locks the accessory 38 b in both the axial and the rotationaldirections.

In operation, when no external forces are present, the accessory 38 b isbiased to a fully locked position where the accessory 38 b is bothaxially and rotationally fixed relative to the power tool 10. To releasethe accessory 38 b from the power tool 10, an operator slides the outersleeve 320 in the second direction 372, which in turn, slides the innersleeve 316 in the second direction 372. This releases the ball detents360 from the spindle 312 and allows the accessory 38 b to be removedfrom the power tool 10. Similarly, to rotate the accessory 38 b, anoperator slides the outer sleeve 320 in the second direction 372 todisengage the first mating member 324 and the second mating member 332,thereby enabling the accessory 38 b to be rotated relative to the powertool 10.

FIGS. 13-16 illustrate a third embodiment of an attachment mechanism 400configured to connect an accessory 38 c to a power tool 10. Theattachment mechanism 400 includes a tool-side attachment 404 and anaccessory-side attachment 408. In the illustrated embodiment, thetool-side attachment 404 includes a spindle 412, a first mating member424, and an inner sleeve 416. The accessory-side attachment 408 includesan outer sleeve 420, a plurality of ball detents 462, and a secondmating member 432.

The spindle 412 includes a bore 448 formed by a spindle wall 452, wherethe bore 448 is sized and shaped to receive an input shaft 428 of a tool(e.g., a tool bit) or an input shaft 428 of accessory 38 c (e.g., adrill chuck accessory) to be used with the power tool 10. In theillustrated embodiment, the bore 448 has a hexagonal cross section thatcorresponds to the input shaft 428. The spindle 412 includes one or moreaperture 456 extending through the spindle wall 452 into the bore. Aball detent 460 is disposed within the aperture 456 to engage the inputshaft 428 and lock the tool or accessory 38 c to the nose 26 of thepower tool 10. Specifically, the ball detent 460 can selectively engagewith a recess 476 (see, FIG. 16) formed in the input shaft 428 of thetool or the accessory 38 c in order to maintain the input shaft 428within the bore 448 of the spindle 412. The ball detent 460 is movablebetween a first position (i.e., a locked position), in which the balldetent 460 is biased radially inward to engage the input shaft 428, anda second position (i.e., an unlocked position), in which the ball detent460 is moved radially outward to release the input shaft 428. The balldetent 460 is biased towards the locked position by the inner sleeve416.

With reference to FIGS. 15-16, the inner sleeve 416 includes a camsurface 464 that selectively forces the ball detent 460 radially inward.The inner sleeve 416 is movable in a first direction 468, towards therear 34 of the power tool 10, in which the cam surface 464 biases theball detent 460 radially inward (i.e., a locked position). The innersleeve 416 is movable in a second direction 472, away from the rear 34of the power tool 10, in which the cam surface 464 releases the balldetent 460 (i.e., an unlocked position). When the inner sleeve 416 andthe ball detent 460 are in the locked position, the input shaft 428 (andthus the accessory 38 c) is axially locked relative to the power tool10. In the illustrated embodiment, the inner sleeve 416 and the balldetent 460 are biased towards the locked position. The inner sleeve 416is unlocked by grasping the inner sleeve 416 and pulling the innersleeve 416 in the second direction 472 to release the ball detent 460from the recess of the input shaft 428. Notably, in some instances, aninput shaft 428 of a tool or an accessory 38 c may not include a recess476 that can be engaged by the ball detent 460 (see, FIG. 15). In thesecases, the tool and/or accessory 38 c may be locked to the power tool 10by other features of the attachment mechanism 400.

With continued reference to FIGS. 13-16, the outer sleeve 420 isgenerally cylindrical. In the illustrated embodiment, the outer sleeve420 extends circumferentially around a hub 426 disposed on the accessory38 c. A plurality of ball detents 462 are carried by hub 326. The balldetents 462 are biased radially inward by a snap ring 430 (FIG. 15). Theball detents 462 are configured to engage with an annular recess 444formed around an outer circumference of the first mating member 424. Theengagement between the ball detents 462 and the first mating member 424locks the accessory 38 c to the power tool 10. Specifically, theengagement of the ball detents 462 with the annular recess 444 of thefirst mating member 424 axially locks the accessory 38 c to the powertool 10 while enabling the accessory 38 c to rotate relative to thepower tool 10.

The first mating member 424 can help axially lock the accessory 38 c tothe power tool 10 as well as rotationally lock the accessory 38 c to thepower tool 10. As shown in FIG. 14, the first mating member 424 on thepower tool 10 can engage with the second mating member 432 on theaccessory 38 c to rotationally fix the accessory 38 c relative to thepower tool 10. Specifically, the first mating member 424 includes aplurality of engagement elements 496 a configured to engage with aplurality of engagement elements 496 b on the second mating member 432.In the illustrated embodiment, the first mating member 424 is a ringincluding a plurality of engagement elements 496 a in the form ofrecesses, which are spaced circumferentially on the first mating member424. The second mating member 432 is a ring including a plurality ofengagement elements 496 b in the form of posts, which are spacedcircumferentially on the second mating member 432. The recesses of thefirst mating member 424 are sized and shaped to receive the posts on thesecond mating member 432. When the first mating member 424 and thesecond mating member 432 are engaged, the accessory 38 c is rotationallyfixed relative to the power tool 10. In other embodiments, the firstmating member 424 and the second mating member 432 include differenttypes of engagement elements 496 capable of rotationally fixing thefirst mating member 424 relative to the second mating member 432.

The second mating member 432 is fixed to the outer sleeve 420 such thatmovement of the outer sleeve 420 causes movement of the second matingmember 432. The outer sleeve 420 and the second mating member 432 aremovable between a rotationally locked position, in which the accessory38 c is rotationally fixed relative to the power tool 10, and arotationally unlocked position, in which the accessory 38 c is freelyrotatable relative to the power tool 10. The outer sleeve 420 is biasedin a first direction 468, toward the rear 34 of the power tool 10,towards the rotationally locked position. Specifically, in theillustrated embodiment, a spring 488 is disposed within hub 326 and isoriented to bias the second mating member 432 towards the first matingmember 424.

In operation, an operator attaches the accessory 38 c to the power tool10 by pushing, or “snapping,” the accessory 38 c onto the power tool 10so that the ball detents 462 are forced into engagement with the annularrecess 440 of the first mating member 424. Specifically, the operatorprovides an external force to overcome the force of the snap ring 430 sothat the ball detents 462 are forced radially outward to a setbackposition with the hub 426. Once the accessory 38 c is pushed far enoughonto the power tool 10 so that the ball detents 462 align with theannular recess 444, the snap ring 430 will bias the ball detents 462radially inward towards the annular recess 444 to lock the accessory 38c onto the power tool 10. Similarly, the remove the accessory 38 c fromthe power tool 10, the operator pulls, or “snaps” off the accessory 38 cfrom the power tool 10 so that the ball detents 462 are forced out ofengagement with the annular recess 440 of the first mating member 424.To rotate the accessory 38 c relative to the power tool 10, an operatorslides the outer sleeve 420 in the second direction 472, to move thesecond mating member 432 in the second direction 472, against thebiasing force of the spring 488. The operator then rotates the accessory38 c to the desired orientation and releases the outer sleeve 420. Thebiasing force of the spring 488 automatically rotationally locks theaccessory 38 c by biasing the second mating member 432 into engagementwith the first mating member 424 on the power tool 10.

FIGS. 17-20 illustrate a fourth embodiment of an attachment mechanism500 configured to connect an accessory 38 d to a power tool 10. Theattachment mechanism 500 includes a tool-side attachment 504 and anaccessory-side attachment 508. In the illustrated embodiment, thetool-side attachment 504 includes a spindle 512 and a mating member 524.The accessory-side attachment 508 includes a hub 536 and a plurality ofball detents 560.

The spindle 512 includes an external hex 550 formed by the spindle wall552. The external hex 550 is configured to be received by the hub 536.Specifically, the hub 536 includes a bore 544 with a hexagonal crosssection that corresponds to the external hex 550 of the spindle 512. Inaddition, the spindle 512 includes an annular recess 540 extendingcircumferentially around the spindle 512. The annular recess 540 engageswith the plurality of ball detents 560 on the accessory 38 d. In otherembodiments, the spindle 512 includes a plurality of apertures spacedcircumferentially around the spindle 512 rather than a continuousannular recess 540.

The plurality of ball detents 560 are carried by a hub 536, which ispositioned within the accessory 38 d. The ball detents 560 of the hub536 are configured to engage with the annular recess 540 formed aroundspindle 512. The engagement between the ball detents 560 and the annularrecess 540 locks the accessory 38 d to the power tool 10. In theillustrated embodiment, the hub 536 is generally cylindrical and forms abore 544 that receives the spindle 512. When the spindle 512 is insertedinto the bore 548, the annular recess 540 on the spindle 512 aligns withthe ball detents 560 carried by the hub 536. As shown in FIGS. 19-20,the ball detents 560 are biased radially inward by a plurality ofsprings 588 in order to lock the accessory 38 d to the power tool 10. Inthe illustrated embodiment, the ball detents 560 are configured toaxially lock the accessory 38 d to the power tool 10 while enablingrotational freedom of the accessory 38 d relative to the power tool 10.

Additionally, the spindle 512 includes other engagement features thatenable the spindle 512 to engage with other types of accessories 38 inaddition to the accessory 38 d illustrated in FIGS. 17-20. For example,the spindle 512 includes a bore 548 formed by a spindle wall 552, wherethe bore 548 is sized and shaped to receive an input shaft 528 of a tool(e.g., a tool bit shown in FIG. 16) or an accessory (e.g., an elbowattachment accessory) to be used with the power tool 10. In theillustrated embodiment, the bore 548 has a hexagonal cross section thatcorresponds to the input shaft 528. For example, the bore 548 isconfigured to receive the input shaft 528 of the tool bit shown in FIG.16. The bore 548 is also configured to receive the input shaft 128, 328,428 in another type of accessory 38 (e.g., an elbow accessory), as shownin the previous embodiments disclosed herein. Likewise, the matingmember 524 disposed on the tool-side accessory 504 can be used to engagewith various other accessories 38. The mating member 524 includes aplurality of engagement elements 596 in the form of castellations. Asdescribed in the embodiments above, the engagement elements 596 of themating member 524 are configured to engage with engagement elements onmating members of other accessories 38.

In operation, an operator attaches the accessory 38 d to the power tool10 by pushing, or “snapping,” the accessory 38 d onto the power tool 10so that the ball detents 560 are forced into engagement with the annularrecess 540 of the spindle 512. Similarly, to remove the accessory 38 dfrom the power tool 10, the operator pulls, or “snaps” off the accessory38 d from the power tool 10 so that the ball detents 560 are forced outof engagement with the annular recess 540 of the spindle 512.

FIGS. 21-33 illustrate a fifth embodiment of an attachment mechanism 600configured to connect an accessory 38 to a power tool 10. For example,the attachment mechanism 600 is shown with a hex accessory 38 in FIGS.22-26, an offset accessory in FIG. 31, and a right angle accessory inFIG. 32. The attachment mechanism 600 includes a tool-side attachment604, shown in FIG. 21, and an accessory-side attachment 608, shown inFIGS. 22-26. In the illustrated embodiment, the tool-side attachment 604includes a spindle 612 and a first mating member 624. The accessory-sideattachment 608 includes a sleeve 618, a cap 680, a hub 636, a pluralityof ball detents 660, and a second mating member 632.

Referring to FIG. 21, the spindle 612 includes a bore 648 formed by aspindle wall 652, where the bore 648 is sized and shaped to receive aninput shaft of a tool (e.g., a tool bit) or an input shaft 628 of theaccessory 38 e to be used with the power tool 10. In the illustratedembodiment, the spindle 612 includes an annular recess 656 extendingaround the spindle wall 652 for receiving the ball detents 660 of theaccessory-side attachment 608. In other embodiments, the spindle 612 mayinclude a plurality of apertures in place of the annular recess 656 forreceiving the ball detents 612.

In the illustrated embodiment, the first mating member 624 is formed asa disk having a face 700 and a surrounding outer circumference 704. Thefirst mating member 624 also includes an opening 712 through which thespindle 612 can extend. The opening 712 is defined by an innercircumference 708 of the first mating member 624. The first matingmember 624 includes a plurality of engagement elements 696 a disposed onthe face 700 and positioned between the inner circumference 708 and theouter circumference 704. In the illustrated embodiment, the engagementelements 696 a are trapezoidal shaped teeth. In other embodiments, theengagement elements 696 a may be other shapes and sizes. The engagementelements 696 a may extend around the entire face 700 of the first matingmember 624 or may only extend around portions thereof. In otherembodiments, the first mating member 624 may not be a disk, but mayinstead be a different shape configured to support the engagementelements 696 a. For example, in some embodiments, the first matingmember 624 may be a ring with a plurality of engagement elements 696 asupported along either an inner circumference 708 or an outercircumference 704.

With reference to FIGS. 22-26, the accessory-side attachment 608includes the hub 636, which is formed by the input shaft 628 and anouter annular shaft 692 extending circumferentially around the inputshaft 628. The ball detents 660 are carried by the hub 636.Specifically, the ball detents 660 are disposed within a plurality oforifices 664 in the annular shaft 692. When the accessory-sideattachment 608 is engaged with the tool-side attachment 604, the inputshaft 628 is received within the bore 644 of the spindle 612. The balldetents 660 are configured to engage with the plurality of annularrecesses 656 in the spindle 612. The engagement between the ball detents660 and the spindle 612 locks the accessory 38 e to the power tool 10.The ball detents 660 are movable between a first position (i.e., alocked position), in which the ball detents 660 are biased radiallyinward to engage the spindle 612, and a second position (i.e., anunlocked position), in which the ball detents 660 are moved radiallyoutward to release the spindle 612. The ball detents 660 are biasedradially inward by the sleeve 618.

Referring to FIGS. 24, 26, and 28, the accessory-side attachment 608also includes the sleeve 618. The sleeve 618 extends circumferentiallyaround the hub 636 carrying the ball detents 660. In the illustratedembodiment, the sleeve 618 includes and inner sleeve 616 and an outersleeve 620. The outer sleeve 620 is generally cylindrical and extendscircumferentially around the inner sleeve 616. The outer sleeve 620 isspaced away from the inner sleeve 616 to form a gap 684 between theinner sleeve 616 and the outer sleeve 620. The second mating member 632is received within the gap 684.

The inner sleeve 616 and the outer sleeve 620 are fixed together by aplurality of ribs 716 extending radially between the inner sleeve 616and the outer sleeve 620 (FIG. 27B). A plurality of apertures 720 areformed between the plurality of ribs 716. In some embodiments, thesleeve 618 includes a single aperture 720 formed between each part ofadjacent ribs 716. In other embodiments, the space between some of theribs 716 may be filled or partially filled, leaving an aperture 720between only some pairs of adjacent ribs 716.

The outer sleeve 620 includes an annular grip 724 (FIG. 26) extendingradially outward to assist in sliding the sleeve 618 between the firstdirection 672 and the second direction 676. A spring 688 biases thesleeve 618 towards the first direction 672. The outer sleeve 620 isaxially fixed to the inner sleeve 616 such that movement of the outersleeve 620 causes movement of the inner sleeve 616. Accordingly, thebias of the outer sleeve 620 towards the first direction 672 biases theinner sleeve 616 towards the locked position. Similarly, movement of theouter sleeve 620 towards the second direction 676 releases the innersleeve 616 from the locked position (i.e., to release the ball detents660 from engagement with the spindle 612).

With reference to FIG. 27B, the inner sleeve 616 includes a cam surface728 that selectively forces the ball detents 660 radially inward. Theinner surface 732 also forms an annular recess 736, which allows theball detents 660 to move radially outward when the ball detents 660 arealigned with the annular recess 736. The inner sleeve 616 is movablebetween the first direction 672 (FIG. 29), in which the cam surface 728biases the ball detents 660 radially inward (i.e., a locked position),and a second direction 676 (FIG. 30), in which the cam surface 728releases the ball detents 660 (i.e., an unlocked position). When theinner sleeve 616 and the ball detents 660 are in the locked position,the accessory 38 e is axially locked relative to the power tool 10. Inthe illustrated embodiment, the inner sleeve 616 and the ball detents660 are biased towards the locked position.

The sleeve 618 is movable between the first direction 672 and the seconddirection 676 by sliding along the cap 680. The cap 680 includes a mainbody 740 and a plurality of arms 744 extending from the main body 740(FIG. 23). Specifically, in the illustrated embodiment, the main body740 forms a portion of the outer housing of the accessory 38 e. The sizeand shape of the main body 740 may vary greatly depending on the type ofaccessory (i.e., chuck, hex, elbow, off-set angle accessories). Forexample, the main body 740 of an offset angle accessory, as shown inFIG. 31, is sized and shaped differently from the main body 740 of theelbow accessory shown in FIG. 32 and the hex accessory 38 shown in FIG.23. In each of these embodiments, a portion of the main body 740 forms aportion of the outer housing of the accessory 38 e.

The arms 744 extend axially from the main body 740 to enable the sleeve618 to slide axially along the cap 680. Specifically, the arms 744extend through the apertures 720 in the sleeve 618 that are formedbetween the ribs 716. In the illustrated embodiment, the cap includesfour arms 744 extending through four apertures 720 of the sleeve 618.However, in other embodiments, a greater or fewer number of arms 744 maybe provided on the cap 680. With reference to FIGS. 23 and 28A, thesecond mating member 632 is coupled to the ends 748 of the arms 744. Inthe illustrated embodiment, the second mating member 632 is coupled tothe cap 680 by a plurality of fasteners 752, such as screws.Accordingly, the second mating member 632 is fixed relative to the cap680. As such, when the sleeve 618 slides along the arms 744 of the cap680, the sleeve 618 moves relative to both the cap 680 and the secondmating member 632. In addition, the second mating member 632 acts as astop for limiting the extent to which the sleeve 618 is slidable in thefirst direction 672.

With continued reference to FIG. 23, the second mating member 632 isformed as a disk having a face 756 and a surrounding outer circumference760. The second mating member 624 also includes an opening 768 throughwhich the hub 636 can extend. The opening 768 is defined by an innercircumference 764 of the member 624. The second mating member 624includes a plurality of engagement elements 696 b disposed on the face756 and positioned between the inner circumference 764 and the outercircumference 760. The engagement elements 696 b of the second matingmember 632 are sized and shaped to correspond to the engagement elements696 a on the first mating member 624. When the first mating member 624and the second mating member 632 are engaged (i.e., with each engagementelement 696 b positioned), the first mating member 624 and the secondmating member 632 are rotationally fixed relative to one another,thereby rotationally fixing the accessory 38 e to the power tool 10. Theaccessory 38 e can be rotationally unlocked by moving the accessory-sideattachment 608 away from the tool-side attachment 604 to disengage theengagement elements 696 a of the first mating member 624 from theengagement elements 696 b of the second mating member 632.

In the illustrated embodiment, the engagement elements 696 b aretrapezoidal shaped teeth. In other embodiments, the engagement elements696 b may be other shapes and sizes capable of engaging with theengagement elements 696 a of the first mating member 624. The engagementelements 696 b may extend around the entire face 756 of the secondmating member 624 or may only extend around portions. In otherembodiments, the second mating member 624 may not be a disk, but mayinstead be a different shape configured to support the engagementelements 696 b. For example, in some embodiments, the second matingmember 624 may be a ring with a plurality of engagement elements 696 bsupported along either an inner circumference 764 or an outercircumference 760.

FIGS. 29-30 illustrate the attachment mechanism 600 with theaccessory-side attachment 608 coupled to the tool-side attachment 604.In operation, when no external forces are present, the accessory 38 e isbiased to a fully locked position where the accessory 38 e is bothaxially and rotationally fixed relative to the power tool 10.Specifically, the spring 688 biases the sleeve 618 of the accessory-sideattachment 608 towards the tool-side attachment 604. When the sleeve 618is in this position, the sleeve 618 pushes the ball detents 660 radiallyinward and into engagement with the annular recess 656 of the spindle612 on the tool-side attachment 604. This axially locks the accessory 38e to the power tool. In addition, the accessory 38 e is rotationallylocked to the power tool 10 (i.e., rotationally fixed relative to thepower tool 10). Specifically, the engagement elements 696 a of the firstmating member 624 are interlocked with the engagement elements 696 b ofthe second mating member 632, which prevents rotation of the accessory38 e relative to the power tool 10. Accordingly, when the operator isusing an asymmetric accessory 38 e, such as a right angle accessory oran off-set accessory, the mating members 624, 632 enable the operator toposition the accessory 38 at a desired orientation relative to powertool 10.

To release the accessory 38 e from the power tool 10, an operator slidesthe outer sleeve 620 in the second direction 676, which in turn, slidesthe inner sleeve 616 in the second direction 676. This releases the balldetents 660 from the spindle 612 and allows the accessory 38 e to beremoved from the power tool 10. As the accessory-side attachment 608 ismoved away from the tool-side attachment 604, the engagement members 696a, 696 b disengage from one another and the accessory 38 e be reorientedto a different position and reattached to the power tool 10, if desired.

FIGS. 33-34 illustrate a sixth embodiment of an attachment mechanism 800configured to connect an accessory 38 f to a power tool 10. In theillustrated embodiment, the accessory 38 f is a chuck accessory. Theattachment mechanism 800 includes a tool-side attachment 804 and anaccessory-side attachment 808. In the illustrated embodiment, thetool-side attachment 804 includes a spindle 812 and a first matingmember 824. The accessory-side attachment 808 includes an input shaft828, a hub 836, one or more ball detent 860, and a biasing member 888.

The spindle 812 of the tool-side attachment 804 includes an internal hex852 configured to receive the input shaft 828 of the accessory-sideattachment 808. In the illustrated embodiment, the input shaft 828 hasan external hex shape that aligns with the internal hex 852.Additionally, the first mating member 824 includes an annular recess 840extending circumferentially around the first mating member 824. Theannular recess 840 is configured to engage with the ball detents 860 onthe accessory-side attachment 808. In some embodiments, the first matingmember 824 includes a plurality of apertures spaced circumferentiallyaround the first mating member 824 rather than a continuous annularrecess 840.

The ball detents 860 are carried by the hub 836 of the accessory-sideattachment 808. In the illustrated embodiment, the hub 836 is generallycylindrical and forms a bore 844 that receives the spindle 812. When thespindle 812 is inserted into the bore 844, the annular recess 840 on thespindle 812 aligns with the ball detents 860 in order to lock theaccessory 38 f to the power tool 10. As shown in FIG. 34, the balldetents 860 are biased radially inward by a biasing member 888. In theillustrated embodiment, the biasing member 888 is an annular biasingmember 888, such as a spring clip or a retaining ring. The biasingmember 888 is maintained in the hub 836 by a sleeve 818. In otherembodiments, the biasing member may be a helical spring or other biasingmember configured to bias the ball detents 860 radially inward. In theillustrated embodiment, the ball detents 860 are configured to axiallylock the accessory 38 f to the power tool 10 while enabling rotationalfreedom of the accessory 38 f relative to the power tool 10. However, inother embodiments, the ball detents 860 may be configured to engage withapertures to rotationally fix the accessory 38 relative to the powertool 10.

Additionally, the first mating member 824 includes other engagementfeatures that enable the power tool 10 to engage with other types ofaccessories 38 in addition to the chuck accessory 38 f illustrated inFIGS. 33-35. For example, the first mating member 824 includes aplurality of engagement elements 896 in the form of castellationsextending around the circumference of the matting member 824. Asdescribed in the embodiments above, the engagement elements 896 of themating member 824 are configured to engage with engagement elements onmating members of other accessories 38 f. Specifically, the engagementelements 896 around the outer circumference of the first mating member824 are configured to engage with engagement elements around an innercircumference or a front face of a second mating member (not shown) ofan accessory 38.

In operation, an operator attaches the accessory 38 f to the power tool10 by pushing, or “snapping,” the accessory 38 f onto the power tool 10so that the ball detents 860 are forced into engagement with the annularrecess 840 of the spindle 812. In other words, a user exerts forcesufficient to overcome the force of the biasing member 888 that biasesthe ball detents 860 radially inward. Similarly, to remove the accessory38 f from the power tool 10, the operator pulls, or “snaps” off theaccessory 38 f from the power tool 10 so that the ball detents 860 areforced out of engagement with the annular recess 840 of the spindle 812.

FIGS. 36-38 illustrate a seventh embodiment of an attachment mechanism900 configured to connect an accessory 38 g to a power tool 10. In theillustrated embodiment, the accessory 38 g is a chuck accessory. Theattachment mechanism 900 includes a tool-side attachment 904 and anaccessory-side attachment 908. In the illustrated embodiment, thetool-side attachment 904 includes a spindle 912 and a first matingmember 924. The accessory-side attachment 908 includes an input shaft928, a hub 936, a second mating member 932, and a clamping mechanism964.

The spindle 912 of the tool-side attachment 904 includes an internal hex952 configured to receive the input shaft 928 of the accessory-sideattachment 908. In the illustrated embodiment, the input shaft 928 hasan external hex shape that aligns with the internal hex 952.Additionally, the first mating member 924 includes an annular recess 940extending circumferentially around the first mating member 924. Theannular recess 940 is configured to engage with the clamping mechanism964 on the accessory-side attachment 908.

The clamping mechanism 964 can selectively axially lock the accessory 38g to the power tool 10. The clamping mechanism 964 includes a firstclamp member 944 and a second clamp member 948 positioned on opposingsides of the hub 936. Each of the clamp members 944, 948 includes agripping member 980 and an actuation element 984. The gripping members980 are U-shaped and extend from each end of the respective actuationelement and around the first mating member 924. The clamp members 944,948 are supported by the hub 936 with the actuation elements 984extending through a hub wall 976 such that a operator can engage theactuation elements 984. Specifically, the actuation elements 984 arepositioned on radially opposite ends of the hub 936 and are configuredto be squeezed (i.e., actuated) radially inward towards one another. Thegripping members 980 of each clamp member extend from the respectiveactuation member and around the annular recess 940 of the first matingmember 924.

The gripping members 980 of the clamp members 944, 948 can selectivelyengage the annular recess 940 of the spindle to axially lock theaccessory 38 g to the power tool 10. Specifically, in the illustratedembodiment, the gripping members 980 have curved ends 992 to help engagethe annular recess 940.

The clamp members 944, 948 are biased radially outward towards a lockedposition. When the clamp members 944, 948 are in a locked position, thecurved ends 992 of the gripping members 980 engage the annular recess940 of the spindle 912 to axially lock the accessory 38 g to the powertool 10. A operator can squeeze the clamp members 944, 948 towards oneanother to disengage the curved ends 992 of the gripping members 980from the annular recess 940 of the spindle 912, and thereby unlock theaccessory 38 g from the power tool 10.

Additionally, the first mating member 924 and the second mating member932 may rotationally lock the accessory 38 g so that the accessory 38 gis rotationally fixed relative to the power tool 10. Specifically, thefirst mating member 924 includes a plurality of engagement elementsextending around the circumference of the first matting member 924. Theengagement elements of the first mating member 924 are configured toengage with engagement elements around an inner circumference or a frontface of a second mating member 932 of an accessory 38 g. In theillustrated embodiment, the engagement elements are in the form ofcastellations, however, in other embodiments, the engagement elementscan be a different form. In the illustrated embodiment, the secondmatting member 932 is integral with the hub 936 such that the engagementelements extend from an end of the hub 936. In other embodiments, thesecond mating member 932 may be a separate element from the hub 936.

In operation, an operator attaches the accessory 38 g to the power tool10 by squeezing the actuation elements 984 of the clamp members 944, 948towards one another. When the clamp members 944, 948 move radiallyinward, the arms 980 of each clamp member disengage from the annularrecess 940 of the spindle 912 to unlock the accessory 38 g such that itcan be removed from the power tool 10. The accessory 38 g can then berotated to a desired position and reattached to the power tool 10. Whenthe clamp members 944, 948 are release, biasing members (not shown) biasthe clamp members 944, 948 radially outward and away from one another.When the clamp members 944, 948 are moved radially outward, the arms 980of each clamp member engage with the annular recess 940 to axially lockthe accessory 38 g to the power tool 10.

FIGS. 39-40 illustrate an eight embodiment of an attachment mechanism1000 configured to connect an accessory 38 h to a power tool 10. Theattachment mechanism 1000 includes a tool-side attachment 1004 and anaccessory-side attachment 1008. In the illustrated embodiment, thetool-side attachment 1004 includes a spindle 1012 and a first matingmember 1024. The accessory-side attachment 1008 includes a sleeve 1018,a hub 1036, a plurality of ball detents 1060, and a second mating member1032.

The first mating member 1024 includes a plurality of engagement members1096 a on a front face of the mating member 1024. In the illustratedembodiment, the engagement members 1096 a are arch shaped with aplurality of teeth extending radially inward from the arch. Theillustrated engagement member 1024 includes two arch shaped engagementmembers 1096 a with three teeth extending from each arch. However, inother embodiments, different the engagement members 1096 a may havedifferent sides, shapes. Likewise, there may be a greater or fewernumber of engagement members 1096 a.

The spindle 1012 of the tool-side attachment 1004 includes an annularrecess 1040 extending around an outer circumference of the spindle 1012.The annular recess 1040 is configured to receive the ball detents 1060of the accessory-side attachment 1008. In other embodiments, the annularrecess 1040 can be replaced with a plurality of apertures for receivingthe ball detents 1060.

The plurality of ball detents 1060 are carried by the hub 1036positioned within the accessory 38 h. The ball detents 1060 and areconfigured to engage with the annular recess 1040 of the spindle 1012 toaxially lock the accessory 38 h to the power tool 10. The ball detents1060 are movable between a first position (i.e., a locked position), inwhich the ball detents 1060 are biased radially inward to engage thespindle 1012, and a second position (i.e., an unlocked position), inwhich the ball detents 1060 are moved radially outward to release thespindle 1012. The ball detents 1060 are biased radially inward by thesleeve 1018.

With reference to FIG. 39, the sleeve 1018 includes an inner sleeve 1016that engages the ball detents 1060 and an outer sleeve 1020 extendingcircumferentially around the inner sleeve 1016, which is actuable by auser. More specifically, the inner sleeve 1016 extends circumferentiallyabout the hub 1036 to selectively bias the ball detents 1060 radiallyinward and into engagement with the annular recess 1040 of the spindle1012. When in the default position, the inner sleeve 1016 is biasedtowards a first direction 1068 in which the ball detents 1060 are forcedradially inward to axially lock the accessory 38 h to the power tool 10.The inner sleeve 1016 is fixed to the outer sleeve 1020. Accordingly, anoperator can axially slide the outer sleeve 1020 in a second direction1072, which thereby moves the inner sleeve 1016 in the second direction1072 to release the ball detents 1060 and unlock the accessory 38 h fromthe power tool 10.

In addition, the accessory-side attachment 1008 includes the secondmating member 1032, which engages with the first mating member 1024 onthe tool-side attachment 1004 to rotationally lock the accessory 38 h tothe power tool 10. In the illustrated embodiment, the second matingmember 1032 is integrally formed with the inner sleeve 1016. However, inother embodiments, the second mating member 1032 can be a separateelement from the inner sleeve 1016. The second mating member 1032includes a plurality of engagement elements 1096 b, which interlock withthe engagement elements 1096 a on the first mating member to preventrotation of the accessory 38 h relative to the power tool 10. In theillustrated embodiment, the second mating member 1032 includes aplurality of teeth on a front face of the second mating member 1032.Because the second mating member 1032 is fixed to the inner sleeve 1016,the engagement members 1096 a and 1096 b are disengaged from one anotherby movement of the outer sleeve 1020. Specifically, axial movement ofthe outer sleeve 1020 axially moves the inner sleeve 1016, and therebydisengages the engagement members 1096 a and 1096 b to rotationallyunlock the accessory 38 h. Accordingly, axially movement of the outersleeve 1020 simultaneously unlocks the accessory 38 h from the powertool 10 in both the axial and rotational directions.

Although the invention has been described in detail with reference tocertain preferred embodiments, variations and modifications exist withinthe scope and spirit of one or more independent aspects of the inventionas described.

What is claimed is:
 1. An attachment mechanism for connecting anaccessory to a rotary power tool, the attachment mechanism comprising: atool-side attachment including a spindle driven by a motor of the powertool, and a first mating member positioned on the tool; and anaccessory-side attachment including a housing having a body and aplurality of arms extending therefrom, a ball detent selectivelyengagable with the spindle to lock the accessory to the power tool, asleeve slidable along the arms between a first position in which thesleeve biases the ball detent into engagement with the spindle toaxially secure the accessory to the tool, and a second position in whichthe ball detent is disengageable from the spindle to release theaccessory from the tool, and a second mating member fixed to the arms ofthe housing.
 2. The attachment mechanism of claim 1, wherein the sleeveincludes a plurality of apertures through which the correspondingplurality of arms extend, and wherein the arms limit movement of thesleeve relative to the housing to translation between the first andsecond positions.
 3. The attachment mechanism of claim 1, wherein in thefirst position, the sleeve biases the ball detent radially inward. 4.The attachment mechanism of claim 1, further comprising a spring biasingthe sleeve toward the first position.
 5. The attachment mechanism ofclaim 4, wherein the second mating member is fixed to a distal end ofthe arms, and wherein the second mating member retains the sleeve on thearms against the bias of the spring.
 6. The attachment mechanism ofclaim 1, wherein the sleeve includes an annular grip extending radiallyoutward to assist sliding the sleeve between the first and secondpositions.
 7. The attachment mechanism of claim 1, wherein the first andsecond mating members are engaged when the accessory is secured to thetool, and wherein the first and second mating members rotationally fixthe accessory to the tool.
 8. The attachment mechanism of claim 1,wherein the second mating member is a disk including a plurality ofteeth.
 9. The attachment mechanism of claim 8, wherein the teeth arepositioned on a face of the disk in a circumferential arrangement. 10.An accessory for use with a rotary power tool having a rotatable spindleand a first mating member, the accessory comprising: a housing having abody and a plurality of arms extending therefrom; a ball detentselectively engagable with the spindle to lock the accessory to thepower tool; a sleeve slidable along the arms between a first position inwhich the sleeve biases the ball detent into engagement with the spindleto axially secure the accessory to the tool, and a second position inwhich the ball detent is disengageable from the spindle to release theaccessory from the tool; and a second mating member coupled to the armsof the housing.
 11. The accessory of claim 10, wherein the sleeveincludes a plurality of apertures through which the correspondingplurality of arms extend, and wherein the arms limit movement of thesleeve relative to the housing to translation between the first andsecond positions.
 12. The accessory of claim 11, wherein the secondmating member is axially fixed to a distal end of each of the arms, andwherein the sleeve is slidable between the second mating member and thebody of the housing.
 13. The accessory of claim 10, further comprising aspring biasing the sleeve toward the first position.
 14. The accessoryof claim 13, wherein the second mating member retains the sleeve on thearms against the bias of the spring.
 15. The accessory of claim 10,wherein the sleeve includes an annular grip extending radially outwardto assist sliding the sleeve between the first and second positions. 16.The accessory of claim 10, wherein the sleeve extends circumferentiallyaround the second mating member when the sleeve is in the firstposition.
 17. The accessory of claim 10, wherein the second matingmember is a disk including a plurality of teeth.
 18. The attachmentmechanism of claim 17, wherein the teeth are positioned on a face of thedisk in a circumferential arrangement.
 19. An accessory for use with arotary power tool having a rotatable spindle and a first mating member,the accessory comprising: a housing; a hub configured to be coupled tothe spindle to receive torque therefrom; a ball detent supported by thehub and selectively engagable with the spindle to lock the accessory tothe power tool; an inner sleeve including a cam surface, wherein theinner sleeve is movable between a first position, wherein the camsurface biases ball detent radially inward and into engagement with thespindle to axially secure the accessory to the tool, and a secondposition wherein the ball detent is disengageable from the spindle torelease the accessory from the tool; an outer sleeve circumferentiallyextending around and axially fixed to the inner sleeve; and a secondmating member coupled to the housing and including a plurality of teeth,the second mating member engagable with the first mating member torotationally fix the accessory relative to the rotary power tool. 20.The accessory of claim 19, further comprising a biasing member thatapplies a biasing force to at least one of the inner sleeve and theouter sleeve to thereby bias the ball detent radially inward.
 21. Theaccessory of claim 20, wherein the second mating member limits movementof at least one of the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve against thebiasing force of the biasing member.